Music curriculum aims and links to the whole school curriculum aims:

The Music department at Balcarras offers a rich, diverse and balanced curriculum which covers each of the three main components of music (performance, composition and appraising), with a graduated approach of challenge throughout each year.

From the early stages of Year 7, we encourage students to listen to pieces of music they may not be familiar with and dissect the musical elements to further understand the composers’ intentions. Students also get into the routine of performing as part of an ensemble in front of the class, and having their compositions listened to, and we celebrate their success by assessing in the form of self-, peer- and teacher-assessment. This feedback follows the same process for each formal assessment and is regulated by the format ‘What Went Well’ (WWW) and ‘Even Better If’(EBI) to reinforce the high expectations that we have for every pupil. Students have their own music workbooks for each year in KS3 and this ensures equal access to the same music curriculum. The back page of each workbook has necessary music theory information that the students can use if they are struggling tasks, and this offers a level of discrete support that can be managed in a more independent manner. We believe in the expertise of our teachers who know their students and are equipped with the skills to deliver our curriculum to a high level and relevant manner.

As students’ progress, we encourage them to think more critically and develop a thorough understanding of appraising, performing and composing music. Students learn about the history, cultures and theoretical aspects of music before any form of practical application; this ensures they have a firm understanding of the foundations and are able to discuss and question issues specific to the topic, fostering their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. Students are taught to adopt a level of mutual respect throughout their learning in music, as an audience member, performer and composer. This reinforces the British values, supports the rule of law (specifically copyright and plagiarism) and allows students to thrive in a supportive and positive environment.

We develop students ‘cultural capital’ by linking music to historical events and timelines, such as spirituals (Y8) and the blues (Y7, Y10 & Y12) and their links to the slave trade, which we then consider the relevance of the ethical issues and questions posed to our lives today. We also explore the ‘supressed female’ in music, particularly in year 12 and year 13 when looking at the topics ‘Jazz 1900s-1960s’ and ‘Into the Twentieth Century’. This is further outlined in our music display to inform students of some of the great works of female composers. Cultural capital is also reinforced in year 12 when looking at the historical timeline of jazz, music of the twentieth century, and some of the musical movements that grew from the events taking place: WW1 and its link to the turning point for western art music through the dissolving of monarchies; WW2 and its link to the Swing Era/Big Band and Bebop; the rise of Nationalism, Impressionism, Expressionism and Neo-Classicism.

Extracurricular music is something we strongly encourage students of all ages and abilities to involve themselves in. We offer a vast extracurricular timetable with multiple clubs and rehearsals taking place before, during and after school. There are numerous opportunities for students to perform and showcase their talents such as: House Music, The Carol Concert, Balcarras school production, The Spring Concert, and public performances at Pittville Pump Rooms and Cheltenham Town Hall for GCSE/A Level students to give back to the community. We also have opportunities for students to attend concerts and workshops specific to the schedule for the academic year.